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As part of the research for our Cost of Learning in Lockdown report, we conducted some interviews with parents and carers from across the UK, who shared with us their family’s experience of school closures. We’re now publishing some of these interviews on our blog, to shine a light on these important stories and the issues that they bring up. We’re very grateful to the parents and carers who took part in these interviews: thank you for helping us understand the impact of lockdown measures on family life, and informing our recommendations to schools, local authorities and the government.

During May 3218 parents and carers, and 1074 children and young people responded to our Cost of the School Day survey

Black lives matter, particularly the lives of children. Poor children are more likely to be behind in school than their wealthier peers, have reported lower sense of well-being, have poorer health outcomes and even employment difficulties in adulthood. But we don’t talk enough about the fact that some children in black and minority ethnic (BME) families are more likely to experience poverty.

Applications opened for the best start grant in Scotland on 1 June, and now is a good time for families to make applications for the clothing grant and free school meals too - which can really help to reduce the cost of going back to school for those on low incomes. For information and advice on how to access these entitlements, see the latest Cost of the School Day ebulletin.